Who's Who in Comedy: Comedians, Comics, and Clowns from Vaudeville to Today's Stand-Ups

Ron L. Smith's survey of American comedians (both sexes) from vaudeville through revue, musical comedy and movies to comedy clubs is the best book about American comedians I've read. Too often survey books are limited by scope: providing too little information about too many people and failing to impart a sense of the act, or by an author's intent to showcase himself: a fan's enthusiasm or an academic's theorizing. In his deft sketches of Who's Who in Comedy, from vaudeville through revue, musical comedy, movies and radio to television and comedy clubs, Mr. Smith demonstrates he understands what information is important to his readers, and we get a sense of what made each comedian and comedy team successful. No theatre or show business library is complete without this book. Frank Cullen author: Vaudeville, Old & New: an Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America. founder: American Vaudeville Museum.